CHAPTER VII
A WOODLAND MENAGERIE
"Hoo-ah! Yo-ho! H-e-r-e! This--way!"
Adrian followed the voice. It led him aside into the woods on theeastern slope, and it was accompanied by an indescribable babel ofnoises. Running water, screaming of wild fowl, cooing of pigeons,barking of dogs or some other beasts, cackling, chattering, laughter.
All the sounds of wild life had ceased suddenly in the tree-tops, asAdrian approached, recognizing and fearing his alien presence. Butthey were reassured by Margot's familiar summons, and soon the"menagerie" he had suspected was gathered about her.
"Whew! It just rains squirrels--and chipmunks--and birds! Hello!That's a fawn. That's a fox! As sure as I'm alive, a magnificent redfox! Why isn't he eating the whole outfit? And---- Hurra!"
To the amazement of the watcher there came from the depths of thewoods a sound that always thrills the pulses of any hunter--the cry ofa moose-calf, accompanied by a soft crashing of branches, growinggradually louder.
"So they tame even the moose--these wonderful people! What next!" andas Adrian leaned forward the better to watch the advance of thisuncommon "pet," the "next" concerning which he had speculated alsoapproached. Slowly up the river bank, stalked a pair of blue herons,and for them Margot had her warmest welcome.
"Heigho, Xanthippe, Socrates! What laggards! But here's yourbreakfast, or one of them. I suppose you've eaten the other long ago.Indeed, you're always eating, gourmands!"
The red fox eyed the newcomers with a longing eye and crept cautiouslyto his mistress' side as she coaxed the herons nearer. But she wasalways prepared for any outbreak of nature among her forest friends,and drew him also close to her with the caressing touch she might havebestowed upon a beloved house-dog.
"Reynard, you beauty! Your head in my lap, sir;" and dropping to asitting posture, she forced him to obey her. There he lay, winking butalert, while she scattered her store of good things right and left.There were nuts for the squirrels and 'munks, grains and seeds for thewinged creatures, and for the herons, as well as Reynard, a few bitsof dried meat. But for Browser, the moose-calf, she pulled the tendertwigs and foliage with a lavish hand. When she had given some daintyto each of her oddly assorted pets, she sprang up, closed the box, andwaved her arms in dismissal. The more timid of the creatures obeyedher, but some held their ground persistently, hoping for greaterfavors. To these she paid no further attention, and still keepinghold of Reynard's neck started back to her human guest.
The fox, however, declined to accompany her. He distrusted strangersand it may be had designs of his own upon some other forest wilding.
"That's the worst of it. We tame them and they love us. But they areonly conquered, not changed. Isn't Reynard beautiful? Doesn't he looknoble? as noble as a St. Bernard dog? If you'll believe me, thatfellow is thoroughly acquainted with every one of Angelique's fowls,and knows he must never, never touch them, yet he'd eat one, quick asa flash, if he got a chance. He's a coward, though; and by hiscowardice we manage him. Sometimes;" sighed Margot, who had led theway into a little path toward the lake.
"How odd! You seem actually grieved at this state of things."
"Why shouldn't I be? I love him and I have a notion that love will doanything with anybody or anything. I do believe it will, but that Ihaven't found just the right way of showing it. Uncle laughs at me, alittle, but helps me all he can. Indeed, it is he who has tamed mostof our pets. He says it is the very best way to study naturalhistory."
"Hmm. He intends your education shall be complete!"
"Of course. But one thing troubles him. He cannot teach me music. Andyou seem surprised. Aren't girls, where you come from, educated?Doesn't everybody prize knowledge?"
"That depends. Our girls are educated, of course. They go to collegeand all that, but I think you'd down any of them in exams. For my ownpart, I ran away just because I did not want this famous 'education'you value. That is, I didn't of a certain sort. I wasn't fair with youawhile ago, you said. I'd like to tell you my story now."
"I'd like to hear it, of course. But, look yonder! Did you ever seeanything like that?"
Margot was proud of the surprises she was able to offer this strangerin her woods, and pointed outward over the lake. They had just come toan open place on the shore and the water spread before them sparklingin the sunlight. Something was crossing the smooth surface, headingstraight for their island, and of a nature to make Adrian cry out:
"Oh! for a gun!"